It only happened once. Just because Alpharius wanted to show off just one time does not mean his tactics were inefficient. He still won that war didn't he? Besides, if his tactics are inefficient then I guess so are those of current military intelligence agencies?
It's still hugely inefficient to do that. Refusing to attack simply to prove a point. That's inefficiency. Slowing down the whole pace of the campaign so Alpharius can show off.